Program asks seniors to look out for Fraudsters

As more Americans sign up for Affordable Health Care Act, a volunteer program is seeking to expand its volunteer force to detect and report Medicare Fraud. The program asks seniors and their caregivers to be on the look and to report suspected Medicare abuse. The program operates in five states, but officials say the need is particularly great in South Florida. The region is considered a hotbed of illegal Medicare claims and is home to many seniors.

Retired pharmaceutical executive Joe Schwartz is among those trying to educate Florida seniors about the scams. He argues seniors should get involved since funds used to pay bogus claims deplete resources for their legitimate claims. Schwartz visits health fairs, senior centers and parks. The Senior Medicare Patrol program also provides online refreshers to its volunteer corps.

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